CN110832339B

CN110832339B - Multidimensional positioning of objects using multiple antennas

Info

Publication number: CN110832339B
Application number: CN201880042321.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 弗拉杰什·乌彭德拉巴伊·帕特尔; 李奥纳多·恩里克·马图特
Original assignee: Signify Holding BV
Current assignee: Signify Holding BV
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2018-05-02
Publication date: 2024-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-02
Also published as: EP3635431A1; WO2018203143A1; CA3062251A1; US10772070B2; CN110832339A; US20180324744A1

Abstract

A system for locating an object (306) within a certain spatial range may include an electrical device (302) having a plurality of antennas (375) and a switch (345) coupled to the antennas. The system may also include a controller (304) communicatively coupled to the switch. The controller may measure a first parameter of a signal received at the first antenna at a first time. The controller may also operate the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables the second antenna. The controller may also measure a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna at a second time. The controller may also determine a multi-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range using the first parameter and the second parameter.

Description

Multidimensional positioning of objects using multiple antennas

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims priority from U.S. patent application serial No. 62/501,483 entitled "Multi-dimensional positioning of objects using multiple antennas (Multi-Dimensional Location of an Object Using Multiple Antennae)" filed on 5/4 of 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate generally to locating objects in space and, more particularly, to systems, methods, and apparatus for locating objects in space using multiple antennas.

Background

Different methods are used to locate objects within a certain spatial range. For example, when signals are involved, the angle of arrival (AoA) and/or angle of departure (AoD) of each signal may be measured to help determine the position of an object within a certain spatial range. In this case, only a single antenna is used. Furthermore, the methods currently used in the art depend mainly on the strength of the signal. Thus, the current implementations in the art that use signals to locate objects, etc., in only a single dimension are not very accurate.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a system for locating objects within a certain spatial range. The system may include an electrical device having a plurality of antennas. The system may also include a switch coupled to the antenna. The system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the switch. The controller may measure a first parameter of a signal received at the first antenna at a first time, wherein the first parameter of the signal is associated with a location of the object. The controller may also operate the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables the second antenna. The controller may also measure a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna at a second time, wherein the second parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object. The controller may also determine a multi-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range using the first parameter and the second parameter.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is generally directed to a system including an electrical device having an electrical device antenna and a controller, wherein the electrical device is positioned within a certain spatial range. The system may also include an object positioned within the spatial range, wherein the object includes a plurality of object antennas, and a switch coupled to the object antennas. The subject may operate the switch to activate the first subject antenna. The object may also broadcast a first signal over the first object antenna at a first time. The subject may further operate the switch to activate the second subject antenna. The object may also broadcast a second signal over the second object antenna at a second time. The electrical device antenna may receive a first signal having a first parameter and a second signal having a second parameter. The controller may determine a multi-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range using the first parameter of the first signal and the second parameter of the second signal.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may generally relate to an electrical device including a housing and a first antenna of a plurality of antennas disposed on the housing at a first location. The electrical device may further include a second antenna disposed on the housing at a second location. The electrical device may also include a switch coupled to the plurality of antennas. The electrical device may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the switch. The controller may measure a first parameter of a signal coupled at the first antenna at a first time, wherein the first parameter of the signal is associated with a location of the object. The controller may also operate the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables the second antenna. The controller may also measure a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna at a second time, wherein the second parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object. The controller may also use the first parameter and the second parameter to determine a multi-dimensional position of the object within a certain spatial range.

These and other aspects, objects, features and embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims.

Drawings

The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments using multiple antennas for multi-dimensional localization of objects and therefore should not be considered limiting in scope as using multiple antennas for multi-dimensional localization of objects may allow other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the exemplary embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or locations may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designate similar or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system including a luminaire according to certain example embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computing device according to some example embodiments.

Fig. 3 illustrates a system in which objects within a certain spatial range are located, according to some example embodiments.

Fig. 4-6 illustrate the system of fig. 3 in which an AoA method is used to locate objects within a certain spatial range, according to some example embodiments.

Fig. 7 illustrates another system in which objects within a certain spatial range are located, according to some example embodiments.

Fig. 8-10 illustrate the system of fig. 7 in which an AoD method is used to locate an object, according to some example embodiments.

Detailed Description

The example embodiments discussed herein relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for multi-dimensional localization of objects using multiple antennas. While the exemplary embodiments are described herein as using multiple antennas disposed on a luminaire to locate objects within a certain spatial range, the exemplary embodiments may also use one or more of a variety of other electrical devices in addition to or as an alternative to the luminaire. Such other electrical devices may include, but are not limited to, light switches, control panels, wall outlets, smoke detectors, CO ₂ monitors, motion detectors, broken glass sensors, and cameras.

Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments use trilateration methods of AoA or AoD (both described in more detail below with reference to fig. 3-10) to determine the position of an object within a certain spatial range, other positioning methods (including, but not limited to, trilateration) may be used with the exemplary embodiments. By trilateration, rather than measuring the angles of the signals, the distance and/or time each signal travels between the object and the antenna is measured, and those distances and/or times are used to determine the position of the object.

The exemplary embodiments may be used in a certain spatial range having any size and/or being positioned in any environment (e.g., indoor, outdoor, hazardous, non-hazardous, high humidity, low temperature, corrosive, sterile, high vibration). Furthermore, while the signals described herein are Radio Frequency (RF) signals, the exemplary embodiments may be used with any of a number of other types of signals, including but not limited to WiFi, bluetooth, RFID, ultraviolet, microwave, and infrared signals. Exemplary embodiments may be used to locate objects in a certain spatial range in real time in multiple dimensions.

Exemplary embodiments of the light fixtures described herein may use one or more of a variety of different types of light sources, including, but not limited to, light Emitting Diode (LED) light sources, fluorescent light sources, organic LED light sources, incandescent light sources, and halogen light sources. Thus, the luminaire described herein, even in hazardous locations, should not be considered as limited to a particular type of light source.

The user may be any person interacting with the luminaire and/or object within a certain spatial range. In particular, a user may program, operate, and/or connect one or more components (e.g., controllers, network managers) associated with a system using the example embodiments. Examples of users may include, but are not limited to, engineers, electricians, instrumentation and control technicians, mechanic, operators, consultants, contractors, asset and network management personnel, representatives of manufacturers.

An object, as defined herein, may be any one unit or a group of units. The object may be moving itself, capable of being moved, or may be stationary. Examples of objects may include, but are not limited to, a person (e.g., user, visitor, employee), a part (e.g., motor stator, cover), a piece of equipment (e.g., fan, container, table, chair), or a set of parts of equipment (e.g., tray with stock product stacked).

Exemplary embodiments provide highly accurate two-dimensional or three-dimensional positions of objects within a certain spatial range. In addition, exemplary embodiments may provide high position accuracy (e.g., as compared to using RSSI (received signal strength indicator)). Furthermore, if a user desires a high level of data security, the exemplary embodiments provide such security. The exemplary embodiments are also more reliable, using lower power as needed.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a luminaire including an antenna for multi-dimensionally positioning an object must meet certain criteria and/or requirements. For example, national Electrical Code (NEC), national Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have established standards for electrical enclosures (e.g., lighting fixtures), wiring, and electrical connections. The use of the exemplary embodiments described herein meets (and/or allows the corresponding device to meet) such criteria when desired. In some (e.g., PV solar) applications, the electrical enclosure described herein may meet other criteria specific to the application.

If a component in a drawing is described but not explicitly shown or labeled in the drawing, the reference numeral for the corresponding component in another drawing may infer the component. Conversely, if a component in a drawing is labeled but not described, the description of such component may be substantially identical to the description of the corresponding component in another drawing. The numbering scheme for the various components in the figures herein is such that each component is a three-digit or four-digit number and the corresponding components in the other figures have the same last two digits. One or more components may be omitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted for any of the figures shown and described herein. Therefore, the embodiments shown in particular figures should not be considered limited to the specific arrangement of components shown in this figure.

Further, unless explicitly indicated, the description that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in the figures herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean that such embodiment is not capable of having such feature or component. For example, with respect to current or future claims herein, features or components described as not being included in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in one or more particular figures can be included in one or more claims corresponding to such one or more particular figures herein.

Exemplary embodiments of multi-dimensional positioning of an object using multiple antennas will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of multi-dimensional positioning of an object using multiple antennas are shown. However, the use of multiple antennas for multi-dimensional localization of objects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of multi-dimensional positioning of objects using multiple antennas to those of ordinary skill in the art. To ensure consistency, similar, but not necessarily identical, elements (sometimes referred to as components) are identified with like reference numerals throughout the several figures.

Terms such as "first," "second," and "within" are used merely to distinguish components (portions of components or states of components) from one another. Such terms are not intended to represent a preference or a particular orientation, and are not intended to limit embodiments in which multiple antennas are used to multi-dimensionally locate an object. In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily complicate the description.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 100 including a plurality of electrical devices 102, according to some example embodiments. The system 100 may include one or more objects 160, users 150, a network manager 180, electrical devices 102. The electrical device 102 may include a controller 104, a plurality of antennas 175, a switch 145, a power source 140, and a plurality of electrical device components 142. The controller 104 may include one or more of a number of components. Such components may include, but are not limited to, control engine 106, communication module 108, timer 110, power module 112, memory bank 130, hardware processor 120, memory 122, transceiver 124, application interface 126, and optionally security module 128.

The components shown in fig. 1 are not exhaustive, and in some embodiments, one or more of the components shown in fig. 1 may not be included in the exemplary system 100. For example, any of the components of the example electrical device 102 may be discrete or combined with one or more other components of the electrical device 102. For example, there may be multiple switches 145 instead of one switch 145. As another example, instead of a single electrical device 102 having multiple antennas 175, the system 100 can have multiple electrical devices 102 communicatively coupled to each other, each having one antenna 175. As another example, the switch 145 may be part of the controller 104.

The user 150 is the same as the user defined above. The user 150 may use a user system (not shown) that may include a display (e.g., a GUI). The user 150 interacts with (e.g., sends data to, receives data from) the controller 104 of the electrical device 102 via the application interface 126 (described below). The user 150 may also interact with one or more of the objects 160 and/or the network manager 180. Interactions between the user 150, the electrical device 102, and the network manager 180 occur using the communication link 105.

Each communication link 105 may include wired (e.g., class 1 cable, class 2 cable, electrical connector) and/or wireless (e.g., wi-Fi, visible light communication, cellular networking, bluetooth, WIRELESSHART, ISA, power line carrier, RS485, DALI) technologies. For example, the communication link 105 may be (or include) one or more electrical conductors coupled to the housing 103 of the electrical device 102 and to the network manager 180. The communication link 105 may transmit signals (e.g., power signals, communication signals, control signals, data) between the electrical device 102, the user 150, and the network manager 180. In contrast, the electrical device 102 of the system 100 may interact with one or more objects 160 using the positioning signals 195, as described below. One or more objects 160 may communicate with user 150 and/or network manager 180 using communication link 105.

The network manager 180 is a device or component that controls all or a portion of the system 100, including the controller 104 of the electrical device 102. The network manager 180 may be substantially similar to the controller 104. Alternatively, the network manager 180 may include one or more of a plurality of features in addition to or as a change from the features of the controller 104 described below.

As described above, the one or more objects 160 may be any of a plurality of people and/or devices. Each object 160 may include a communication device 190 that may transmit RF signals 195 to the electrical device 102. The communication device 190 may include one or more components of the electrical device 102 (e.g., a switch, an antenna, a transceiver) and/or functions described below with respect to the controller 104 of the electrical device 102.

Using an exemplary embodiment, the communication device 190 (also sometimes referred to as a beacon) of the subject 160 may be in a sleep mode until the communication device 190 receives the RF signal 195 broadcast by the one or more antennas 175 of the electrical device 102. When this occurs, the communication device 190 may turn on long enough to interpret the initial RF signal 195, then generate its own RF signal 195 in response to the initial RF signal 195 and send the RF signal to the electrical device 102. Alternatively, the communication device 190 of the subject 160 may be in a sleep mode until some predetermined point in time (e.g., every hour, every 24 hours) independent of the antenna 175 of the electrical device 102. When this occurs, the communication device 190 may be turned on long enough to send the RF signal 195 to the electrical device 102 such that all antennas 175 of the electrical device 102 receive the RF signal 195. This latter embodiment may be used with an AoA method for locating the object 160. In any case, RF signal 195 may include a UUID (or some other form of identification) associated with object 160. Once the communication device 190 transmits the RF signal 195, the communication device 190 may return to sleep mode, thereby conserving significant power.

The communication device 190 may use one or more of a plurality of communication protocols when transmitting the RF signal 195 with the antenna 175 of the electrical device 102. In certain exemplary embodiments, the object 160 may include a battery (a form of power source or power module) for providing power, at least in part, to some or all of the remainder of the object 160, including the communication device 190.

In certain exemplary embodiments, when using the AoD method to locate the object 160, the communication device 190 includes a plurality of antennas and corresponding switches, wherein the antennas are substantially identical to the antennas 175 described above and the switches are substantially identical to the switches 145 described above. In this case, the electrical device 102 may have one antenna 175 without the switch 145, or multiple antennas 175 and corresponding switches 145. Examples of using AoD to locate an object 160 in certain exemplary embodiments are shown below with reference to fig. 7-10.

According to one or more example embodiments, the user 150, the network manager 180, and/or any other suitable electrical device 102 may use the application interface 126 to interact with the controller 104 of the electrical device 102. Specifically, the application interface 126 of the controller 104 receives/transmits data (e.g., information, communications, instructions) from/to the user 150 and the network manager 180. In certain exemplary embodiments, the user 150 and the network manager 180 may include interfaces to receive/transmit data from/to the controller 104. Examples of such interfaces may include, but are not limited to: a graphical user interface, a touch screen, an application programming interface, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, a web service, a data protocol adapter, some other hardware and/or software, or any suitable combination thereof.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the controller 104, the user 150, and the network manager 180 may use their own systems or shared systems. Such a system may be or include a form of internet-based or intranet-based computer system capable of communicating with a variety of software. The computer system includes any type of computing device and/or communication device, including but not limited to a controller 104. Examples of such systems may include, but are not limited to, desktop computers with Local Area Network (LAN), wide Area Network (WAN), internet or intranet access, laptop computers with LAN, WAN, internet or intranet access, smart phones, servers, server clusters, android devices (or equivalent devices), tablet computers, smart phones, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Such a system may correspond to a computer system as described below with reference to fig. 2.

Further, as described above, such systems may have corresponding software (e.g., user software, controller software, network manager software). According to some example embodiments, the software may execute on the same or separate devices (e.g., server, mainframe, desktop Personal Computer (PC), laptop, PDA, television, cable television box, satellite television box, kiosk, telephone, mobile telephone, or other computing device) and may be coupled to the wired and/or wireless section via a communication network (e.g., the internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, WAN, or other network communication method) and/or a communication channel. The software of one system may be part of the software of another system within system 100 or run alone but in combination with the software of the other system.

The electrical device 102 may include a housing 103. The housing 103 may include at least one wall forming the cavity 101. In some cases, the housing 103 may be designed to conform to any applicable standard such that the electrical device 102 may be positioned in a particular environment (e.g., hazardous environment). For example, if the electrical device 102 is positioned in an explosive environment, the housing 103 may be explosion-proof. An explosion-proof enclosure is an enclosure configured to contain an explosion that occurs from within the enclosure or that can propagate through the enclosure, according to applicable industry standards.

The housing 103 of the electrical device 102 may be used to house one or more components of the electrical device 102, including one or more components of the controller 104. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the controller 104 (which in this case includes the control engine 106, the communication module 108, the timer 110, the power module 112, the memory bank 130, the hardware processor 120, the memory 122, the transceiver 124, the application interface 126, and the optional security module 128), the power source 140, the antenna 175, the switch 145, and the electrical device component 142 are disposed in the cavity 101 formed by the housing 103. In alternative embodiments, any one or more of these or other components of the electrical device 102 may be disposed on the housing 103 and/or remote from the housing 103.

The repository 130 may be a persistent storage device (or set of devices) that stores software and data for helping the controller 104 communicate with the users 150, the network manager 180, the one or more objects 160, and any other suitable electrical devices 102 within the system 100. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the repository 130 stores one or more protocols 132 and object data 134. The protocol 132 may be any process (e.g., a series of method steps) and/or other similar operational process that the control engine 106 of the controller 104 follows based on certain conditions at a certain point in time. The protocol 132 may also include any of a number of communication protocols for transmitting and/or receiving data between the controller 104 and the user 150, the network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and one or more objects 160. One or more of the communication protocols 132 may be a time synchronization protocol. Examples of such time synchronization protocols may include, but are not limited to, the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) protocol, the wireless HART protocol, and the international automation association (ISA) 100 protocol. In this manner, one or more of the communication protocols 132 may provide a layer of security for data transmitted within the system 100.

The object data 134 may be any data associated with each object 160 communicatively coupled to the controller 104. Such data may include, but is not limited to, the manufacturer of the object 160, the model of the object 160, the communication capabilities of the object 160, the last known location of the object 160, and the age of the object 160. Examples of the repository 130 may include, but are not limited to: a database (or databases), a file system, a hard drive, a flash memory, some other form of solid state data storage, or any suitable combination thereof. According to some example embodiments, the repository 130 may be located on a plurality of physical machines, each of which stores all or a portion of the protocol 132 and/or the object data 134. Each storage unit or device may be physically located in the same or different geographical locations.

The repository 130 may be operatively connected to the control engine 106. In one or more exemplary embodiments, control engine 106 includes functionality to communicate with users 150, network manager 180, any other suitable electrical devices 102, and objects 160 in system 100. More specifically, control engine 106 sends and/or receives information to/from repository 130 to communicate with user 150, network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and object 160. As described below, in certain exemplary embodiments, the storage 130 may also be operatively connected to the communication module 108.

In certain example embodiments, the control engine 106 of the controller 104 controls the operation of one or more other components of the controller 104 (e.g., the communication module 108, the timer 110, the transceiver 124). For example, the control engine 106 may place the communication module 108 in a "sleep" mode when there is no communication between the controller 104 and another component in the system 100 (e.g., the object 160, the user 150) or when the communication between the controller 104 and another component in the system 100 follows a regular pattern. In this case, the communication module 108 is enabled only when the communication module 108 is needed to save power consumed by the controller 104.

As another example, the control engine 106 may instruct the timer 110 when to provide the current time, begin tracking the time period, and/or perform another function within the capabilities of the timer 110. As another example, the control engine 106 may instruct the transceiver 124 to receive RF signals 195 from one or more objects 160 in the system 100 through the switch 145 and one or more antennas 175. This example provides another instance in which the control engine 106 may save power used by the controller 104 and other components of the system 100 (e.g., the object 160).

The control engine 106 may determine when to receive one or more RF signals 195 when attempting to locate the object 160. To conserve power, the control engine 106 does not continuously receive the RF signal 195, but only at discrete times. The control engine 106 may be active to receive the RF signal 195 based on one or more of a number of factors including, but not limited to, the passage of time, the occurrence of an event, instructions from the user 150, and commands received from the network manager 180.

In some cases, when the system 100 includes a plurality of electrical devices 102, each electrical device 102 may have some form of controller 104. The control engine 106 of one controller 104 may coordinate with the controllers 104 of other electrical devices 102 and/or directly control one or more other electrical devices 102 to broadcast multiple RF signals 195 and/or receive multiple RF signals 195. In this example, the control engine 106 may operate one or more switches 145 to complete its function.

In some cases, the control engine 106 of the electrical device 102 may locate the object 160 based on a plurality of RF signals 195 transmitted by (e.g., originating from) the object 160 in response to a plurality of RF signals 195 broadcast by the electrical device 102. To achieve this, the control engine 106 obtains a plurality of RF signals 195 broadcast by the object 160 and/or reflected from the object 160 (directly from the antenna 175 through the switch 145 and/or from another control engine 106 in one or more other electrical devices 102). The control engine 106 may also use one or more protocols 132 and/or algorithms (a portion of the data stored in the repository 130) to determine the multi-dimensional position of the object 160 based on the RF signal 195.

For example, the protocols 132 and/or algorithms used by the control engine 106 may require the control engine 106 to use a triangulation method to determine the location of the object 160, such as using an angle of arrival (AoA) and/or an angle of departure (AoD) for each RF signal 195 received from the object 160. The protocol 132 and/or algorithm is used by the control engine 106 to instruct the control engine 106 when and how to operate the switch 145. Thus, the protocols 132 and/or algorithms used by the control engine 106 may also help the control engine 106 determine the multi-dimensional location of one or more objects 160. If two antennas 175 are used, the two-dimensional position of the object 160 may be obtained by the control engine 106. Examples of how an AoA may be used to locate an object are provided below with reference to fig. 3-6, and another example of how an AoD may be used to locate an object is provided below with reference to fig. 7-10. Examples of algorithms used by the control engine 106 may include, but are not limited to, angle = wavelength x distance in space between antennas +.2+.pi+.distance between antennas.

In some cases (e.g., where the antennas 175 are sufficiently far apart relative to one another on the housing 103 of the electrical device 102 (or other electrical device)), the protocols 132 and/or algorithms used by the control engine 106 may require the control engine 106 to use trilateration methods to determine the location of the object 160. For example, a troffer light where an antenna is positioned along the frame length of the troffer light may be the case where trilateration techniques may be used with the exemplary embodiments described herein. With trilateration techniques, rather than measuring the angle at which the antenna 175 receives the RF signals 195 for triangulation (one type of parameter measured at the antenna 175), the distance and/or time (another type of parameter measured at the antenna 175) of each RF signal 195 received by each antenna 175 is measured. In order for trilateration to effectively accurately locate object 160 in three dimensions, at least three antennas 175 are required.

Control engine 106 may provide control, communication, RF signals 195, and/or other signals to user 150, network manager 180, and one or more objects 160. Similarly, control engine 106 may receive control, communication, RF signals 195, and/or other signals from user 150, network manager 180, and one or more objects 160. The control engine 106 may automatically communicate with each object 160 (e.g., based on one or more algorithms stored in the repository 130) and/or based on control, communication, and/or other similar signals received from another device (e.g., the network manager 180) using the RF signal 195. The control engine 106 may include a printed circuit board on which the hardware processor 120 and/or one or more discrete components of the controller 104 are located.

In certain example embodiments, the control engine 106 may include an interface that enables the control engine 106 to communicate with one or more components of the electrical device 102 (e.g., the power supply 140). For example, if the power supply 140 of the electrical device 102 operates according to IEC standard 62386, the power supply 140 may include a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI). In this case, the control engine 106 may also include a DALI that enables communication with the power source 140 within the electrical device 102. Such interfaces may operate in conjunction with or independently of the communication protocol 132 used to communicate between the controller 104 and the user 150, the network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and the object 160.

The control engine 106 (or other components of the controller 104) may also include one or more hardware components and/or software architecture components that perform its functions. Such components may include, but are not limited to, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), direct Attachment Capacity (DAC) storage, analog to digital converter, inter-integrated circuit (I ² C), and Pulse Width Modulator (PWM).

Using the exemplary embodiment, while at least a portion of the controller 104 (e.g., control engine 106, timer 110) is always on, the controller 104 and the remainder of the subject 160 may be in sleep mode when they are not in use. Further, the controller 104 may control certain aspects of one or more other suitable electrical devices in the system 100 (e.g., transmitting RF signals 195 to the subject 160 and receiving RF signals 195 from the subject, operating the switch 145).

The communication network of system 100 (using communication link 105) may have any type of network architecture. For example, the communication network of system 100 may be a mesh network. As another example, the communication network of system 100 may be a star network. When the controller 104 includes an energy storage device (e.g., a battery as part of the power module 112), more power may be saved in the operation of the system 100. Further, using the time synchronized communication protocol 132, data transferred between the controller 104 and the user 150, the network manager 180, and any other suitable electrical devices 102 may be secure.

The communication module 108 of the controller 104 determines and implements a communication protocol (e.g., the protocol 132 from the repository 130) that is used when the control engine 106 communicates with (e.g., sends signals to, receives signals from) the user 150, the network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and/or one or more objects 160. In some cases, the communication module 108 accesses the object data 134 to determine which communication protocol is within the capabilities of the object 160 for the RF signal 195 sent by the control engine 106. Further, the communication module 108 may interpret a communication protocol of a communication (e.g., the RF signal 195) received by the controller 104 such that the control engine 106 may interpret the communication.

The communication module 108 may send data (e.g., protocol 132, object data 134) directly to the repository 130 and/or retrieve data directly from the repository. Alternatively, the control engine 106 may facilitate data transfer between the communication module 108 and the repository 130. The communication module 108 may also provide encryption for data sent by the controller 104 and decryption for data received by the controller 104. The communication module 108 may also provide one or more of a number of other services regarding data sent from and received by the controller 104. Such services may include, but are not limited to: data packet routing information and procedures to be followed in the event of a data interruption.

The timer 110 of the controller 104 may track clock time, time intervals, amount of time, and/or any other time measurement. The timer 110 may also count the number of occurrences of an event, whether or not time dependent. Alternatively, the control engine 106 may perform a counting function. The timer 110 is capable of tracking multiple time measurements simultaneously. The timer 110 may measure multiple times simultaneously. The timer 110 may track time periods based on instructions received from the control engine 106, based on instructions received from the user 150, based on instructions programmed in the software for the controller 104, based on some other condition, or from some other component, or from any combination thereof.

The power module 112 of the controller 104 supplies power to one or more other components of the controller 104 (e.g., the timer 110, the control engine 106). Further, in certain example embodiments, the power module 112 may provide power to the power source 140 of the electrical device 102. The power module 112 may include one or more of a plurality of individual or multiple discrete components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors), and/or a microprocessor. The power module 112 may include a printed circuit board on which the microprocessor and/or one or more discrete components are located.

The power module 112 may include one or more components (e.g., transformers, diode bridges, inverters, converters) that receive power (e.g., via cables) from sources external to the electrical device 102 and generate power of a type (e.g., alternating current, direct current) and level (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120V) that may be used by other components of the controller 104 and/or the power source 140. Additionally or alternatively, the power module 112 itself may be a power source to provide signals to other components of the controller 104 and/or the power source 140. For example, the power module 112 may be a battery. As another example, the power module 112 may be a local photovoltaic power generation system.

The hardware processor 120 of the controller 104 executes software according to one or more exemplary embodiments. In particular, the hardware processor 120 may execute software on the control engine 106 or any other portion of the controller 104, as well as software used by the user 150, the network manager 180, and/or any other suitable electrical device 102. In one or more exemplary embodiments, hardware processor 120 may be an integrated circuit, a central processing unit, a multi-core processing chip, a multi-chip module including multiple multi-core processing chips, or other hardware processor. Hardware processor 120 is known by other names including, but not limited to: computer processors, microprocessors, and multi-core processors.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, hardware processor 120 executes software instructions stored in memory 122. Memory 122 includes one or more caches, a main memory, and/or any other suitable type of memory. According to some exemplary embodiments, the memory 122 is located discretely within the controller 104 relative to the hardware processor 120. In some configurations, the memory 122 may be integrated with the hardware processor 120.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the controller 104 does not include a hardware processor 120. In this case, for example, the controller 104 may include one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), one or more Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), and/or one or more Integrated Circuits (ICs). The use of FPGA, IGBT, IC and/or other similar means known in the art allows the controller 104 (or portion thereof) to be programmable and operate according to certain logic rules and thresholds without the use of a hardware processor. Alternatively, FPGA, IGBT, IC and/or similar devices may be used with one or more hardware processors 120.

The transceiver 124 of the controller 104 may transmit and/or receive control signals and/or communication signals, including RF signals 195. In particular, transceiver 124 may be used to transmit data between controller 104 and user 150, network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and/or object 160. The transceiver 124 may use wired and/or wireless technology. Transceiver 124 may be configured in such a way that control and/or communication signals transmitted and/or received by transceiver 124 may be received and/or transmitted by another transceiver that is part of user 150, network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102 and/or object 160.

When transceiver 124 uses wireless technology, transceiver 124 may use any type of wireless technology in transmitting signals and receiving signals. Such wireless technologies may include, but are not limited to: wi-Fi, visible light communication, cellular networks, and bluetooth. Transceiver 124 may use one or more of any number of suitable communication protocols (e.g., ISA100, HART) in transmitting and/or receiving signals, including RF signal 195. Such communication protocols may be stored in the protocols 132 of the repository 130. Further, any transceiver information for the user 150, the network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and/or the object 160 may be part of the object data 134 (or similar region) of the repository 130.

Optionally, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the security module 128 ensures interaction between the controller 104, the user 150, the network manager 180, any other suitable electrical device 102, and/or the object 160. More specifically, the security module 128 verifies communications from the software based on a security key that verifies the identity of the source of the communication. For example, the user software may be associated with a security key that enables the software of the user 150 to interact with the controller 104 of the electrical device 102. Further, in some example embodiments, the security module 128 may limit the receipt of information, the request for information, and/or access to information.

As described above, in addition to the controller 104 and its components, the electrical device 102 may also include a power source 140, a plurality of antennas 175, at least one switch 145, and one or more electrical device components 142. The electrical device component 142 of the electrical device 102 is a device and/or component that is typically present in an electrical device to allow operation of the electrical device 102. The electrical device component 142 may be electrical, electronic, mechanical, or any combination thereof. The electrical device 102 may have one or more of any number and/or any type of electrical device components 142. Examples of such electrical device components 142 may include, but are not limited to: light sources, light engines, heat sinks, electrical conductors or cables, terminal blocks, lenses, diffusers, reflectors, ventilation devices, deflectors, dimmers, and circuit boards.

The power source 140 of the electrical device 102 provides power to one or more electrical device components 142. The power supply 140 may be substantially the same as or different from the power supply module 112 of the controller 104. The power supply 140 may include one or more of a plurality of individual or multiple discrete components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors), and/or a microprocessor. The power supply 140 may include a printed circuit board on which the microprocessor and/or one or more discrete components are located.

The power supply 140 may include one or more components (e.g., transformers, diode bridges, inverters, converters) that receive power from or transmit power to the power supply module 112 of the controller 104 (e.g., via a cable). The power source may generate power of a type (e.g., alternating current, direct current) and level (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120V) that may be used by a recipient (e.g., electrical device component 142, controller 104) of such power source. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 140 may receive power from a source external to the electrical device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 140 itself may be a power source. For example, the power source 140 may be a battery, a local photovoltaic power generation system, or some other independent power source.

As described above, the electrical device 102 includes a plurality of antennas 175. The antenna 175 is an electrical device that converts power into an RF signal 195 (for transmission) and converts the RF signal 195 into electrical energy (for reception). In transmission, a radio transmitter (e.g., transceiver 124) supplies a current oscillating at radio frequency (i.e., high frequency Alternating Current (AC)) to a terminal of antenna 175 through switch 145, and antenna 175 radiates energy from the current as RF signal 195. In reception, the antenna 175 intercepts some of the power of the RF signal 195 in order to generate a small voltage at its terminal, which is amplified by the application of the switch 145 to a receiver (e.g., transceiver 124).

The antenna 175 may generally be comprised of an arrangement of electrical conductors that are electrically connected to each other (typically by a transmission line) to form the body of the antenna 175. The body of the antenna 175 is electrically coupled to the transceiver 124. The oscillating current of electrons forced through the body of antenna 175 by transceiver 124 will create an oscillating magnetic field around the body, while the charge of the electrons also creates an oscillating electric field along the body of antenna 175. These time-varying fields radiate from antenna 175 into space as mobile transverse RF signals 195 (typically electromagnetic field waves). Conversely, during reception, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of the incoming RF signal 195 exert forces on electrons in the body of the antenna 175, causing portions of the body of the antenna 175 to move back and forth, thereby generating an oscillating current in the antenna 175.

In certain example embodiments, the antenna 175 (e.g., antenna 175-1, antenna 175-N) may be disposed at, within, or on any portion of the electrical device 102. For example, the antenna 175 may be disposed on the housing 103 of the electrical device 102 and extend away from the electrical device 102. As another example, the antenna 175 may be insert molded into a lens of the electrical device 102. As another example, the antenna 175 may be injection molded into the housing 103 of the electrical device 102 two times. As another example, the antenna 175 may be adhesively mounted to the housing 103 of the electrical device 102. As another example, the antenna 175 may be pad printed onto a circuit board within the cavity 101 formed by the housing 103 of the electrical device 102. As another example, antenna 175 may be a surface mounted chip ceramic antenna. As another example, antenna 175 may be a wired antenna.

Each antenna 175 may be electrically coupled to a switch 145, which in turn is electrically coupled to the transceiver 124. The switch 145 may be a single switching device or a plurality of switching devices arranged in series and/or parallel with each other. The switch 145 determines which antenna 175 is coupled to the transceiver 124 at any particular point in time. The switch 145 may have one or more contacts, where each contact has an open state and a closed state (position). In the open state, the contacts of the switch 145 create an open circuit that prevents the transceiver 124 from providing RF signals 195 to or receiving RF signals 195 from the antenna 175 electrically coupled to the contacts of the switch 145. In the closed state, the contacts of the switch 145 create a closed circuit that allows the transceiver 124 to provide RF signals 195 to or receive RF signals 195 from the antenna 175 electrically coupled to the contacts of the switch 145. In certain exemplary embodiments, the position of each contact of the switch 145 is controlled by the control engine 106 of the controller 104.

If the switch 145 is a single device, the switch 145 may have multiple contacts. In any event, in certain exemplary embodiments, only one contact of switch 145 may be active (closed) at any point in time. Thus, when one contact of the switch 145 is closed, all other contacts of the switch 145 are open in such exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a computing device 218 that implements one or more of the various techniques described herein and that represents, in whole or in part, elements described herein in accordance with certain example embodiments. For example, computing device 218 may be implemented in the form of hardware processor 120, memory 122, and storage 130, among other components, in electrical device 102 of fig. 1. The computing device 218 is one example of a computing device and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the computing device and/or its possible architecture. Neither should the computing device 218 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary computing device 218.

The computing device 218 includes one or more processors or processing units 214, one or more memory/storage components 215, one or more input/output (I/0) devices 216, and a bus 217 that allows the various components and devices to communicate with one another. Bus 217 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including: a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Bus 217 includes a wired bus and/or a wireless bus.

Memory/storage component 215 represents one or more computer storage media. Memory/storage component 215 includes volatile media (such as Random Access Memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). The memory/storage component 215 includes fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, a fixed hard drive, etc.) and removable media (e.g., a flash memory drive, a removable hard drive, an optical disk, and so forth).

One or more I/0 devices 216 allow a client, utility, or other user to input commands and information to computing device 218, and also allow information to be presented to the client, utility, or other user and/or other component or device. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a touch screen, and a scanner. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, a display device (e.g., monitor or projector), speakers, an output to a lighting network (e.g., DMX card), a printer, and a network card.

Various techniques are described herein in the general context of software or program modules. Generally, software includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. An implementation of these modules and techniques is stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media is any available non-transitory medium or media that can be accessed by a computing device. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media comprise "computer storage media".

"Computer storage media" and "computer readable media" include volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to: a computer recordable medium such as: RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.

According to some example embodiments, the computer device 218 is connected to a network (not shown) (e.g., a LAN, a WAN such as the internet, or any other similar type of network) via a network interface connection (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many different types of computer systems (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, personal media devices, mobile devices such as cellular telephones or personal digital assistants, or any other computing system capable of executing computer-readable instructions), and that the aforementioned input and output devices take other forms in other exemplary embodiments now known or later developed. Generally, the computer system 218 includes at least the minimum processing, input and/or output devices necessary to practice one or more embodiments.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in certain exemplary embodiments, one or more elements of the foregoing computer device 218 are located at a remote location and are connected to other elements via a network. Further, one or more embodiments are implemented on a distributed system having one or more nodes, where each portion of the implementation (e.g., control engine 106) is located on a different node within the distributed system. In one or more embodiments, the nodes correspond to computer systems. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the nodes correspond to processors with associated physical memory. In some example embodiments, the node alternatively corresponds to a processor having shared memory and/or resources.

Fig. 3 illustrates a system 300 that may use an AoA method to locate objects 360 within a spatial range 399 according to some example embodiments. Referring to fig. 1-3, also positioned within the spatial extent 399 of fig. 3 is a luminaire 302 (of the same type of electrical device as the electrical device 102 of fig. 1 described above) having three antennas 375 (antenna 375-1, antenna 375-2 and antenna 375-3). As described above, spatial extent 399 may be of any size and/or located at any position. For example, the spatial range 399 may be a room in an office building.

As shown in fig. 3, all three antennas 375 in luminaire 302 may be positioned in spatial range 399. Alternatively, one or more antennas may be positioned on another device (e.g., another luminaire). In any event, one or more antennas 375 may be positioned outside of spatial range 399 as long as an RF signal (e.g., RF signal 195) transmitted by communication device 390 of subject 360 is received by antennas 375 of fixture 302.

In certain exemplary embodiments, antennas 375 are separated by one or more adjacent antennas 375 by a distance. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, antenna 375-1 is separated from antenna 375-2 by distance 378, antenna 375-3 is separated from antenna 375-2 by distance 379, and antenna 375-1 is separated from antenna 375-3 by distance 377. Each distance (distance 377, distance 378, and distance 379 in this example) may be based on one or more of a number of factors. For example, each distance may be at least 1/2 of the wavelength of an RF signal (e.g., RF signal 195). In this case, one antenna 375 may transmit/receive an RF signal that differs from an RF signal transmitted/received by another antenna 375 by at least 90 °. This makes the RF signals (and parameters associated therewith (e.g., angle, distance, time)) measured at each antenna 375 easier to interpret. As a specific example, if the wavelength of the RF signal 195 is 2.4GHz, each distance (distance 377, distance 378, distance 379) is at least about 1/2 inch. One distance (e.g., distance 377, distance 378, distance 379) may be the same as and/or different from the other distances.

The luminaire 302 of fig. 3 also includes a switch 345 coupled to three antennas 375. Although not shown in fig. 3, the light fixture 302 may also include a control engine (e.g., control engine 106) for automatically operating the switch 345 and a transceiver (e.g., transceiver 124) for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. In addition, object 360 of fig. 3 includes a communication device 390, which may be substantially the same as communication device 190 discussed above with reference to fig. 1. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the communication device 390 of fig. 3 may include an antenna. In some cases, the communications device 390 may also include a controller that may perform at least some of the functions of the controller 104 described above.

Fig. 4-6 illustrate the system of fig. 3 when RF signals are transmitted by the object 360 and the AoA method is used to determine the position of the object 360, according to some example embodiments. Fig. 4 illustrates the system 400 of fig. 3 in which the communication device 390 of the object 360 begins broadcasting the RF signal 495, according to some example embodiments. Referring to fig. 1-6, antennas 375-1, 375-2 and 375-3 of light fixture 302 receive RF signal 495. The communication device 390 of the object 360 has a broadcast range 482 and all antennas 375 of the luminaire 302 fall within the broadcast range 482.

In fig. 4, in this case, switch 345 is closed for antenna 375-1 and open for antennas 375-2 and 375-3. Thus, only the RF signal 495 received by antenna 375-1 at the point in time captured in FIG. 4 is sent to controller 304 through switch 345. When the controller 304 receives the RF signal 495 through the antenna 375-1, the controller 304 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine an angle 485 (a type of parameter) at which the RF signal 495 arrives at the (AoA) antenna 375-1.

At some other subsequent point in time relative to the time captured in fig. 4 (e.g., after 2ms, after 50 ms), the controller 304 of the luminaire 302 operates, forming the configuration of the system 500 shown in fig. 5. In fig. 5, in this case, switch 345 is closed for antenna 375-2 and open for antennas 375-1 and 375-3. Thus, only the RF signal 495 received by antenna 375-2 at the point in time captured in FIG. 5 is sent to controller 304 through switch 345. When the controller 304 receives the RF signal 495 through the antenna 375-2, the controller 304 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine an angle 585 (a type of parameter) at which the RF signal 495 arrives at the (AoA) antenna 375-2.

At some other subsequent point in time (e.g., after 3 ms) relative to the time captured in fig. 5, the controller 304 of the luminaire 302 operates, forming the configuration of the system 600 shown in fig. 6. In fig. 6, in this case, switch 345 is closed for antenna 375-3 and open for antennas 375-2 and 375-1. Thus, only the RF signal 495 received by antenna 375-3 at the point in time captured in FIG. 6 is sent to controller 304 through switch 345. When controller 304 receives RF signal 495 through antenna 375-3, controller 304 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine angle 685 (a type of parameter) at which RF signal 495 arrives at (AoA) antenna 375-3.

Once the controller 304 has determined the angles 485 and 585, the controller 304 may determine the position of the object 360 within the spatial range 399 in two dimensions using the AoA method according to an example embodiment. Once the controller 304 has determined the angles 485, 585, and 685 (or even additional angles if the luminaire 302 has more than three antennas 375), the controller 304 may determine the position of the object 360 within the spatial range 399 in three dimensions using the AoA method according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates a system 700 that may use an AoD method to determine the position of an object 760 within a spatial range 799 in some example embodiments. Referring to fig. 1-7, a luminaire 702 having a controller 704 and only a single antenna 775 is positioned in the spatial range 799 in fig. 7. Alternatively, light fixture 702 may have multiple antennas 775, in which case light fixture 702 may also include switch 745. Further, the object 760 comprises a communication device 790, wherein the communication device 790 has a switch 845 and a plurality (in this case three) of antennas 875. In particular, communication device 790 includes antenna 875-1, antenna 875-2, and antenna 875-3. An object 760 comprising a communication device 790 is also positioned in the spatial range 799. As described above, for the previous example using the AoA method, one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 875, antenna 775) may be positioned outside of the spatial range 799 as long as RF signals (e.g., RF signal 195) transmitted by the communication device 790 of the subject 760 are received by the antenna 775 of the luminaire 702.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the antennas 875 of the communication device 790 of the object 760 are separated by one or more adjacent antennas 875 by a distance. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, antenna 875-1 is separated from antenna 875-2 by a distance 778, antenna 875-3 is separated from antenna 875-2 by a distance 779, and antenna 875-1 is separated from antenna 875-3 by a distance 777. Each distance (distance 777, distance 778, and distance 779 in this example) may be based on one or more of a number of factors. For example, each distance may be at least 1/2 of the wavelength of an RF signal (e.g., RF signal 195). In this case, one antenna 775 may transmit an RF signal that differs by at least 90 ° from an RF signal transmitted by another antenna 775. This makes the RF signal (and parameters associated therewith (e.g., angle, distance, time)) easier to interpret. As a specific example, if the wavelength of the RF signal 195 is 2.4GHz, each distance (distance 777, distance 778, distance 779) is at least about 1/2 inch. One distance (e.g., distance 777, distance 778, distance 779) may be the same as and/or different from the other distances.

As described above, the object 760 of fig. 7 also includes a switch 845 coupled to three antennas 875. Although not shown in fig. 7, the object 760 of fig. 7 may further include a controller coupled to the switch 845, wherein the controller may operate the switch 845 and generate an RF signal transmitted by the communication device 790 of the object 760. The communication device 790 may be substantially the same as the communication device 190 discussed above with reference to fig. 1.

Fig. 8-10 illustrate the system of fig. 7 when RF signals are transmitted by an object 760 and an AoD method is used to determine the position of the object 760, according to some example embodiments. Fig. 8 illustrates the system 800 of fig. 7 in which the communication device 790 of the object 760 begins broadcasting one or more RF signals (e.g., RF signal 895), according to some example embodiments. Referring to fig. 1-10, antennas 875-1, 875-2, and 875-3 of subject 760 transmit one or more RF signals using the rest of communication device 790. The communication device 790 of the object 760 has a broadcast range 882 and the antenna 775 of the light fixture 702 falls within the broadcast range 882.

In fig. 8, in this case, switch 845 is closed for antenna 875-1 and open for antennas 875-2 and 875-3. Thus, only antenna 875-1 transmits RF signal 895 that was received by antenna 775 of light fixture 702 at the point in time captured in FIG. 8. When controller 704 of luminaire 702 receives RF signal 895 through antenna 775, controller 704 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine angle 885 (a type of parameter) at which RF signal 895 arrives from antenna 875-1 of object 760 to (AoD) antenna 775.

At some later point in time (e.g., after 2ms, after 50 ms) relative to the time captured in fig. 8, switch 845 of object 760 is operated, thereby forming the configuration of system 900 shown in fig. 9. In fig. 9, in this case, switch 845 is closed for antenna 875-2 and open for antennas 875-1 and 875-3. Thus, only antenna 875-2 transmits RF signals 995 that are received by antenna 775 of light fixture 702 at the point in time captured in FIG. 9. (it should be noted that RF signal 995 may be identical to RF signal 895, broadcast only at different times.) alternatively, RF signal 995 and RF signal 895 may be different from each other, providing different information indicating the particular antenna 875 from which the RF signal was transmitted.) when controller 704 of luminaire 702 receives RF signal 995 via antenna 775, controller 704 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine the angle 985 (one type of parameter) at which RF signal 995 arrives (AoD) from antenna 875-2 of subject 760.

At some other subsequent point in time relative to the time captured in fig. 9 (e.g., after 2ms, after 50 ms), switch 845 of object 760 is operated, thereby forming the configuration of system 1000 shown in fig. 10. In fig. 10, in this case, switch 845 is closed for antenna 875-3 and open for antennas 875-1 and 875-2. Thus, only antenna 875-3 transmits RF signal 1095, which is received by antenna 775 of light fixture 702 at the point in time captured in FIG. 10. (As noted above, RF signal 1095 may be the same as or different from RF signal 895 and/or RF signal 995.) when controller 704 of luminaire 702 receives RF signal 1095 through antenna 775, controller 704 may use one or more algorithms and/or protocols 132 to determine an angle 1085 (a type of parameter) at which RF signal 1095 reaches (AoD) antenna 775 from antenna 875-3 of object 760.

Once the controller 704 has determined the angles 885 and 985, the controller 704 may determine the position of the object 760 within the spatial range 799 in two dimensions using the AoD method according to an example embodiment. Once the controller 704 has determined the angles 885, 985, and 1085 (or even additional angles if the object 760 has more than three antennas 875), the controller 704 may determine the position of the object 760 within the spatial range 799 in three dimensions using the AoD method according to an example embodiment.

In some cases, exemplary embodiments relate to systems for locating objects within a certain spatial range. Such a system may include an electrical device having a plurality of antennas and a switch coupled to the antennas. Such a system may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the switch. The controller may measure a first parameter of a signal received at the first antenna at a first time, wherein the first parameter of the signal is associated with a location of the object. The controller may also operate the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables the second antenna. The controller may also measure a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna at a second time, wherein the second parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object. The controller may also determine a multi-dimensional position of the object in the spatial range using the first parameter and the second parameter.

In such systems, the object may initiate a signal. In certain exemplary embodiments, at least one antenna may be integrated with an outer surface of the electrical device. Alternatively, at least one antenna may protrude from an outer surface of the electrical device. In some cases, the electrical device may include a light fixture. In certain exemplary embodiments, the signal may be a radio frequency signal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, a plurality of electrical devices (e.g., luminaires) use transceivers (rather than just transmitters) to transmit RF signals, the response to the RF signals from an object being used to determine the multi-dimensional position of the object within a certain spatial range. If two electrical devices are used, the position of the object may be defined in two dimensions. If three or more electrical devices are used, the position of the object may be defined in three dimensions. Exemplary embodiments may provide real-time location of objects within a spatial range. Communication, security, maintenance, cost, and operational efficiency may be improved using the exemplary embodiments described herein.

Accordingly, many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the multi-dimensional positioning of objects using multiple luminaires pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the use of multiple luminaires for multi-dimensional positioning of objects is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present patent application. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A system for locating objects within a certain spatial range, the system comprising:

An electrical device comprising a plurality of antennas;

a switch coupled to the plurality of antennas; and

A controller communicatively coupled to the switch, wherein the controller:

Measuring a first parameter of a signal received at a first antenna of the plurality of antennas at a first time, wherein the first parameter of the signal is associated with a location of the object;

operating the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables a second antenna of the plurality of antennas;

measuring a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna of the plurality of antennas at a second time, wherein the second parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object; and

A multidimensional location of the object within the spatial range is determined using the first parameter and the second parameter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller further:

Operating the switch from the second position to a third position, wherein the third position enables a third antenna of the plurality of antennas;

Measuring a third parameter of the signal at the third antenna of the plurality of antennas, wherein the third parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object; and

A three-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range is determined using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are separated by a distance of at least 1/2 of a wavelength of the signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller operates the switch from the first position to the second position upon detecting that the first antenna has received the signal broadcast by the object.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal broadcast by the object comprises an identification of the object.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a first angle, and wherein the second parameter is a second angle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the multi-dimensional position of the object is determined using an angle-of-arrival method based on the first angle and the second angle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a first distance, and wherein the second parameter is a second distance.

9. A positioning system, comprising:

A controller and an electrical device comprising an electrical device antenna, wherein the electrical device is positioned within a certain spatial range; and

An object positioned within the spatial range, wherein the object comprises a plurality of object antennas, and a switch coupled to the plurality of object antennas, wherein the object:

operating the switch to activate a first subject antenna of the plurality of subject antennas;

broadcasting a first signal at a first time through the first object antenna;

operating the switch to activate a second subject antenna of the plurality of subject antennas; and

Broadcasting a second signal at a second time via the second object antenna,

Wherein the electrical device antenna receives the first signal having a first parameter and the second signal having a second parameter, and

Wherein the controller uses the first parameter of the first signal and the second parameter of the second signal to determine a multi-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range.

10. The positioning system of claim 9, wherein the object further:

operating the switch to activate a third subject antenna of the plurality of subject antennas; and

Broadcasting a third signal at a third time via the third object antenna,

Wherein the electrical device antenna also receives the third signal having a third parameter, and

Wherein the controller uses the first parameter of the first signal, the second parameter of the second signal, and the third parameter of the third signal to determine a three-dimensional position of the object within the spatial range.

11. The positioning system of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a first angle at which the electrical device antenna receives the first signal, and wherein the second parameter is a second angle at which the electrical device antenna receives the second signal.

12. The positioning system of claim 11, wherein the multi-dimensional position of the object is determined using an off-angle method based on the first angle and the second angle.

13. The positioning system of claim 9, wherein the object further comprises an object controller for operating the switch.

14. The positioning system of claim 9, wherein the first parameter is a first distance traveled by the first signal to the electrical device antenna, and wherein the second parameter is a second distance traveled by the second signal to the electrical device antenna.

15. An electrical device, the electrical device comprising:

A housing;

a first antenna of a plurality of antennas, the first antenna disposed on the housing at a first location;

A second antenna of the plurality of antennas, the second antenna disposed on the housing at a second location;

a switch coupled to the plurality of antennas; and

A controller communicatively coupled to the switch, wherein the controller:

measuring a first parameter of a signal received at the first antenna at a first time, wherein the first parameter of the signal is associated with a location of an object;

Operating the switch from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position enables the first antenna, and wherein the second position enables a second antenna;

measuring a second parameter of the signal received at the second antenna at a second time, wherein the second parameter of the signal is associated with the location of the object; and

A multidimensional location of the object within a certain spatial range is determined using the first parameter and the second parameter.